3 "People Of Interest" In Nevada Abduction

Amber Alert Called Off In Search For Missing 6-Year-Old, But Police Efforts Continue

(CBS/AP)  Authorities in Las Vegas say they now have three "people of interest" in the abduction of a 6-year-old boy by men posing as police.

Officials said Saturday that they are seeking a Mexican identified as Jesus Gastelum. Police Sgt. Tom Wagner says he is believed to be in Las Vegas or Southern California.

Police also have someone else in custody, but they did not identify that person.

Those two are in addition the boy's grandfather. Clemons Tinnemeyer was arrested Friday in Southern California. Police think he was involved with Mexican drug dealers who wanted to send a "message" with the abduction.

Police say they continue to search for the boy and are focusing on the northeastern Las Vegas Valley.

Authorities called off an Amber Alert in their search for Cole Puffinburger earlier Saturday. Las Vegas Police Capt. Vincent Cannito said the "effectiveness of the Amber Alert has run its course," and tips had slowed considerably.

But Cannito said alert's cancellation "does not minimize the efforts being put forth by the law enforcement community." He also said the widespread media coverage of the kidnapping would serve the same purpose as an official alert.

Cannito said that authorities had executed a number of search warrants around the country that have yielded more leads, including the recovery of large amounts of cash.

Tinnemeyer was arrested late Friday in the city of Riverside by a fugitive task force, FBI spokesman Joseph Dickey said. He was being held at the Central Detention Center in the city of San Bernardino.

Tinnemeyer, 51, may have stolen millions of dollars from the Mexican nationals, said Officer Cris Johnson, a Las Vegas police spokesman. Johnson declined to say what role Tinnemeyer played in the drug operation or whether the kidnappers were seeking a ransom.

Police believe methamphetamine was involved, Johnson said. Two men entered Puffinburger's home Wednesday and tied up the boy's mother and her boyfriend. The home was ransacked and the boy abducted.

[slim1h2o]

The only way NOT to have these kinds of stories, is to legalize pot. Keep all other drugs illegal, and close the border down.

If weed was legal, there would be no reason for these armed thugs to exist.

Remember, prohibition does not work. It only creates a super criminal. Just ask Al Capone, Baby-face Floyd, and a host of others when they tried to ban alcohol.

That went over really well, didn''t it?

[slim1h2o]

close the border down? are you smoking pot right now?


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Posted by Hacker11001 at 08:21 AM : Oct 18, 2008


No but you must be, to ask such a ridiculous statement.

Or are you an illegal loving freak?

[slim1h2o]

Posted by Hacker11001 at 08:47 AM : Oct 18, 2008


LOL,,I like how you go from a concrete statement, to a well....probably.

Or how about to a, maybe not.

Slanderer!!

[longtree-2009]

Focusing on the News story. The 6 y/o boy will probably be found dead. The grandfather is to be thanked for the boy''s senseless death. Nothing shocks anymore here in the USA. The leading democracy, best nation in the world, or what was once the leading democracy and best nation, is down in the gutter with the worst of them.

[mim13]

Everytime, I see that childs'' face, I get upset. The US government with the prompting of Bush authorized $100 million to Mexico for drug traffing this year without any vertifications to a corrupt country. Until Mexico installs the death penalty for these scum bags, this will continue. We need to close the borders, and stop funding a corrupt government. That money should have used for additional police officers and machine guns on our border. We are heading for major problems due to the Mexicans and some areas of the US the border, already resembles a 3rd world country. Every congress person that voted for that funding should be eliminated at the next election.

[lastdance128]

The CBS News - SPAM - Chat Room is OPEN ! !

[moriahcat]

Be patriotic, potsmokers! Buy American!

Seriously, folks... other articles have suggested methamphetamine was involved more than marijuana, but meth is made at home too. Drugs are bad, m''kay?

I am praying for this poor kid and I hope he comes home safe.

[rickdean-2009]

We (US govt) should exchange the scumbag grandfather for the innocent boy. This is the only way the boy has a chance to live and enjoy the rest of his life.

[csanscrainte]

Has anyone heard of Al Capone? The REAL issue (not that I condone harming one''s self with substances) is our nanny state telling the world drugs must be banned. WE created the cartels, just as WE created the gansters. Your sense of moral angst, and/or fear that little johnny, suzie, or uncle joe will become a psycho and run amuck... well - its your opinion, but without any substansive proof.

Yes there are documented cases of people doing bad things on substances, yes lives get ruined - but how much of that is due to the world those people get shoved into (being that it is illegal) and how much of it is the health problem of addiction.

Worldwide the crime levels due to drugs would drop to a fraction - if we stopped trying to be everyone''s big brother, and simply taught people the dangers, let them decide on their own, help them when they want help - and of course jail them when they break laws (substance problems are no excuse with alcohol).

For those in the drug enforcement game - this would be awful of course - but then again - even the Untouchables and Moonshine Lawmen had their objections... its your job, you believe you are doing right - but let''s face it, the criminals this creates are far worse than the problems left up to a personal decision would make.

[RedSkelton]

Forget amber alerts. This is about the Narco-gangs in Mexico getting out of control. As you read this a 6 year old boy is being terrorized or worse.

So, they are making war on our children. Now we show them what real war is.

First, close the border. American''s may return, nothing else either way. It stays that way until Cole is returned.

Second, give it 24 hours and if Cole is not returned start hitting Narco-gang targets in Mexico with airstrikes. When the Mexican government objects, warn them that they could have fixed their own problem.

If the government or gangs escalate then take out all Narco-gang sites and follow with the capture of gang members.

Sound extreme? Remember three things. As you read this a 6 year old is being terrorized. They chose to make war on our children. The only response they will respect is one that makes them pay far more than the millions they want to collect.

In the US all crime is closed until Cole is returned. Arrest all gangs and drug dealers, find any reason at all, use stadiums to hold them, deny due process. Do it all over the country. Keep the heat on. Make them pay big.

That''s it. The bottom dwellers are arrogant these days and they need reminding who is in charge. Cole needs a full scale assault to have a chance. Future children, mothers, friends, and neighbors need us to make sure the turds know the price is too high. They want to recover millions, we will cost them billions. It is that simple.

[cmjbone]

What do evangelicals have to do with this? Typical American...blame this on outside events, rather than the parents/grandparents poor choice in who to deal with. Even if the law is stupid, it is the law, and if you chose to hang with gangsters and put your family at risk, you or they may suffer. I still can''t figure out what evangelicals have to do with this.

[slim1h2o]

I mean, it%u2019s just about as vapid as the other Bushisms, but little sexier.



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Posted by psy_war at 10:31 AM : Oct 18, 2008


And speaking of slogans.

I guess this little boy is acceptable as collateral damage, on this failed,,"War on Drugs"?

Great slogan huh?

[mykki35]

Way to go Las Vegas Cops!! Announce to the media that the grandfather was arrested!!Now what reason do the kidnappers have to keep the grandson alive???
Freaking idiots!!

[bchsd16]

The arrest of Felix Arellano has sparked a civil war among the various drug cartels, corrupted police, straight police, federal police, and Mexican military. The number of kidnappings and beheadings in border towns like Tijuana and Laredo, makes Baghdad look like Disneyland. The fact that its beginning to spill over into the United States is inevitable and will continue to get worse... Regardless of which political party is in power. I find the Politicizing of this epidemic repulsive!

[nutcase7822]

This is an education for most Americans that south of the border, kidnapping is rampant. When millions of migrants come here - so does their culture. When you''re involved in a traffic accident - dont expect them to wait around for the police (they wouldn''t in Mexico). Retaliation isn''t reserved for the courthouse. It''s done in the middle of the night. Our gardeners, maids, poolboys - come from a culture that we''re unaccustomed to. It''s an education that must be learned the hard way, unfortunately.

[jay_casey]

Can''t commentators stay on topic? When Mexican criminals start kidnapping children in the US it''s time to come down very very hard on them.

[lsoph99]

Let me just say that the comment directly below just prompted me to create a username so I could respond. Nutcase - I''m not sure where you''re from (sounds like you''re from some small sheltered town) but "north of the border", we''ve got problems too. To point the finger at "Our gardeners, maids, poolboys" was absurd and absolutely ignorant. Your comments are ridiculous and I hope you are one of very, very few who feel this way. Thank you for sharing with us your worldly knowledge of Their culture.

[reina_35]

Your comment is a little naive, mykki35. There is not much chance they''ve kept this boy alive anyway. The kidnappers were not trying to get a ransom; they were trying to send a message. The only people you should be pointing your accusing finger are the family members of this little boy who chose to involve themselves in this dangerous business. And I agree with jay_casey, you people need to learn to stay on topic. There are other places you can whine and cry about McCain and Obama.

[bchsd16]

I recommend to anyone that wants to understand this epidemic to watch the Documentary "Cocaine Cowboys". You''ll see that the Money corrupts people of all cultures, ethnicities, and goes all the way to the highest levels of governments and law enforcement agencies. Remember Manuel Noriega? He was a former General and Panamanian dictator that used his banks and military for drug smuggling. When it gets to the point that the Cartels have more money than the government and use that money to corrupt and
subvert GLOBALLY! This isn''t about race, culture, or politics. Its about black markets and prohibition of guns and drugs in many countries and the money made subverting those prohibitions.

[bchsd16]

The press can''t even report on Mexico... It''s too dangerous, they prefer to go somewhere safe... Like Iraq!

[slim1h2o]

Posted by reina_35 at 11:26 AM : Oct 18, 2008

So you''re saying that if somebody owes you money, it''s ok to steal, or kidnap to your little hearts content?

Typical bleeding heart,,oh drugs are sooo bad that if innocents get rounded and killed,,well thats ok.

Because we are in a war, and everything is fair in love and war, right?


Hopefully that boy comes back to his family in one piece.

Oh, and by the way, I put blame sqaurely where it belongs, on the back of the Mexican Nationals, and the grandfather as well.

[slim1h2o]

Its about black markets and prohibition of guns and drugs in many countries and the money made subverting those prohibitions.


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Posted by bchsd16 at 11:30 AM : Oct 18, 2008


Prohibition does not work.

It has been proven over and over.

Time to try something else....

Like regulation,,,,,,

[bchsd16]

They claim that cartel soldiers dressed like police kidnapped the boy... it could have just as easy been real police that were paid off by the cartel. The saying goes Plata o Pluma... Silver or Lead, you take the bribe and do the job, or they kill you!

[bchsd16]

Your right Prohibition doesn''t work... the problem is we still have them. Marijuana, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, heroin, and guns leaving our country are the main ones.

[slim1h2o]

The saying goes Plata o Pluma... Silver or Lead, you take the bribe and do the job, or they kill you!


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Posted by bchsd16 at 11:45 AM : Oct 18, 2008


The saying here is,,,You do the crime,,you do the time.

[bchsd16]

Watch the documentary "Cocaine Cowboys", its on Youtube... The Florida police were transporting the drugs for the cartel in police cars!

[bchsd16]

Watch the movie Scareface

[j1h2p3]

I hope that Cole Puffinburger makes it through this ordeal alive. I think that we need to make our borders in the south even more open. I bet that the people who did the kidnapping are legal aliens, right? Ask the folks who are running for president what they think because they are both open borders people.

[j1h2p3]

I hope that Cole Puffinburger makes it through this ordeal alive. I think that we need to make our borders in the south even more open. I bet that the people who did the kidnapping are legal aliens, right? Ask the folks who are running for president what they think because they are both open borders people.

[bchsd16]

I grew up 20 mins from Tijuana, Mexico is a second home to me. I literally work as close to the border fence as you can get. I''m warning the nation... there is a war going on in Mexico that isn''t reported! It not just Mexico''s problem but a global one of rising criminal organizations that have no borders.

[bchsd16]

The Cartel recruit American Citizens from American gangs that can cross the border at will.

[maypo]

The main problem is the Government in the US has forgotten the lessons of Prohibition. It mostly creates a criminal element that will provide the public with what they want. The Valentines Day massacre is nothing compared to the violence the US has created today with the modern Prohibition

[gronamox]

Are we supposed to care about a drug war in Mexico? The war has no borders? You mean, Mexico has no borders and lets anything go in or out. I am sorry a little boy is kidnapped, but if you steal from the mob, they are going to take something valuable from you in return.

[gronamox]

Are we supposed to care about a drug war in Mexico? The war has no borders? You mean, Mexico has no borders and lets anything go in or out. I am sorry a little boy is kidnapped, but if you steal from the mob, they are going to take something valuable from you in return.

[ka1qma]

American citizens pay when they break the law and get caught. Illegal aliens do whatever they please even kill our citizens without repercussion. We get outraged when someone gets his/her feelings hurt. Where is the outrage here? Wake up people!

[bchsd16]

Illicit narcotics are smuggled from all over the world not 100% Mexico...

[slim1h2o]

The main problem is the Government in the US has forgotten the lessons of Prohibition. It mostly creates a criminal element that will provide the public with what they want. The Valentines Day massacre is nothing compared to the violence the US has created today with the modern Prohibition


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Posted by maypo402t at 12:19 PM : Oct 18, 2008


You are exactly right!

That''s why we need to legalize, then regulate all drugs.

In one fell swoop, we will elminate the criminal element that flourishes in this climate of today.

[bchsd16]

The Cartels have been recruiting American citizens for decades and are well established in this country. To say its illegal aliens is a very simplistic and inaccurate description of the issue.

[apndrgn]

how would you expect the nevada police to avoid serving the cartel? both make their money exploiting the lower cravings of human nature.

[apndrgn]

how would you expect the nevada police to avoid serving the cartel? both make their money exploiting the lower cravings of human nature.

[maypo]

The main problem is the Government in the US has forgotten the lessons of Prohibition. It mostly creates a criminal element that will provide the public with what they want. The Valentines Day massacre is nothing compared to the violence the US has created today with the modern Prohibition

[bchsd16]

I agree, the only real solution is to legalize and regulate.

[maypo]

The main problem is the Government in the US has forgotten the lessons of Prohibition. It mostly creates a criminal element that will provide the public with what they want. The Valentines Day massacre is nothing compared to the violence the US has created today with the modern Prohibition

[slim1h2o]

To say its illegal aliens is a very simplistic and inaccurate description of the issue.


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Posted by bchsd16 at 12:26 PM : Oct 18, 2008


The only problem with that statement is, in this case, is that it WAS Mexican Nationals that abducted this little boy.

[bchsd16]

If you don''t legalize and regulate... then you going to need a global police state.

[bchsd16]

They don''t know who kidnapped the boy... and even if it were Mexican nationals it still wouldn''t change the fact that many of the Cartels are binational.

[slim1h2o]

If you don''''t legalize and regulate... then you going to need a global police state.


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Posted by bchsd16 at 12:33 PM : Oct 18, 2008

I agree.

But we have that already, the global police...

Interpol of Europe, and our own FBI, that has a global reach.

[bchsd16]

in case you didn''t notice... the kid and his grand father are white Americans... and in up to their necks with this organization.

[bchsd16]

I''m against a global police state... Like Peter Tosh once said "Legalize it".

[slim1h2o]

the kid and his grand father are white Americans... and in up to their necks with this organization.


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Posted by bchsd16 at 12:42 PM : Oct 18, 2008


You can blame the adults in this story.

But don''t you try to blame a six yr old child for this.

He had nothing more to do with this than you did.